Getting Started In Spokane County

[Jimmy7114]

Hi, I'm getting ready to start my first garden in over 15 years - would like to hear from anyone in Eastern Washington with suggestions on what to / what not to try to grow as a beginner. I'm thinking of starting with potatoes, tomatoes, carrotts- does anyone know how successful spinach, bok choy, onions or garlic would grow in this climate??? I'm basically looking for some success in my first year - would like to keep it as simple as possible.

[flatwater]

Jimmy7114 , since I'm just down the road from you I can tell you that potatoes do well , tomatoes do well , carrots do well , onions do well, Garlic does well , Corn does well , peas if planted early do well. A lot has to do when you plant and as you well know this has been an odd year for the snow here. I would really consider a green house to help things along. Lettuce and cabage can do well also.
Flatwater

[Hogleg]

Hello,

What part of the county are you in? I had a tiny garden when I lived in town, east of the Northtown mall. While there I had sucess with tomato, squash and green beans. I have moved to the community of Elk, about 20 miles north of Spokane. We have 12 acres, my first garden season was hit by an unexpected frost in mid June. The plants that survived did good, the tomatoes grew five feet tall and were full of fruit but failed to ripen on the vine before the cold weather threatened, and the deer found there way through my fence. We seem to be in a colder micro climate up here. I am trying again, and will take some steps to protect against frost (and deer).
So where are you at in the county? What were you thinking of planting?

Andy